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Don't run from the police in Texas Chicago: 11 tons of marijuana seized US seizes nearly 11 tons of marijuana aboard train from Mexico; 7 defendants arrested at suburban Chicago storage site HSI/DEA investigation yields largest marijuana seizure ever in Chicago area CHICAGO (MMD Newswire) December 17, 2010 -- Federal marijuana distribution conspiracy charges were filed Thursday against seven defendants arrested on Wednesday during what is believed to be the largest seizure ever of marijuana in the Chicago area - conservatively estimated at about 21,800 pounds, or nearly 11 tons. The drugs were packed into six railroad cars from Mexico that arrived at a warehouse in south suburban Chicago Heights earlier this month. The marijuana is estimated to have a value of about $22 million. The arrests and seizure followed a month-long investigation and were announced on Thursday by the following agency heads: Patrick J. Fitzgerald, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Gary J. Hartwig, special agent in charge of ICE's Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Chicago; Jack Riley, special agent in charge of the Chicago Field Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); David Murphy, director of field operations for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in Chicago; and John Beutlich, director of operations for CBP's Air and Marine, Northern Region. The Illinois State Police, the Will County, Ill., Cooperative Police Assistance Team Task Force (WCPAT), and the Union Pacific Railroad Police Department also participated in the investigation, which was conducted under the umbrella of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). Following are the seven defendants: Carlos Osvaldo Quintero, aka "Carlos Gomez," aka "Miguel Dominguez," 31; his father, Martin Quintero, 63; Felipe de Jesus Magana-Campos, aka "Padrino," 47; Eduardo Angel Zalayaran-Ruiz, aka "Other Inge," 54; Javier Vera, aka "Ducky," 24; Christian Gonzalez, aka "Chris," 24; and Miguel Cordova, aka "Mike," 20. All seven were charged with conspiracy to possess and distribute marijuana in a criminal complaint filed Dec. 16 in the Northern District of Illinois. They appeared on Thursday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Arlander Keys and remain in federal custody pending detention and preliminary hearings, which are scheduled for 2:30 p.m. on Dec. 21. "This historic drug seizure represents law enforcement partnership and cooperation at their best," said Gary Hartwig, special agent in charge of ICE HSI in Chicago. "Our HSI agents and our state, local and federal partners removed nearly 11 tons of dope intended for the streets. ICE will continue identifying and dismantling criminal organizations that smuggle drugs across our borders and into our communities." According to a 74-page affidavit by an HSI special agent, on Nov. 17, CBP officers in Eagle Pass, Texas, discovered that a Union Pacific train bound for Chicago Heights was carrying about 21,800 pounds of suspected marijuana. During the inspection, CBP officers observed a number of large bundled packages, referred to as "super sacks," in six cars on the train. A CBP canine alerted officers to the presence of narcotics in the train cars near several of the super sacks. CBP officers then opened a super sack and observed 13 cubic bundles, which were encrusted in a thick layer of fine red masonry pigment dust. CBP officers broke open several of these cubic bundles and observed a green leafy substance, which field tested positive for the presence of marijuana. In total, CBP officers observed that about 109 super sacks in the train cars contained cubic bundles comprised of a green leafy substance. Officers weighed 13 of the cubic bundles from one super sack and determined that they weighed about 200 pounds. The bill of lading associated with these cars stated that they contained 58 super sack packages in each train car, or a total of about 340 super sacks. The shipping documents stated that the super sacks contained packages listed as "TITANIUM PIGMENTS OR." The documents further stated that the train cars were loaded and sent by a company called Comercializadora De Minerale, located in Jalisco, Mexico, and were being imported by a company called Earth Minerals Corp. in Rockdale, Ill. CBP officers contacted ICE HSI special agents to investigate further. The ICE HSI agents then placed the suspected marijuana back into the rail cars and sealed them. The rail cars were then placed back into the normal course of commerce, and with the railroad's cooperation, ICE HSI and DEA agents surveilled the train as it traveled to a storage warehouse with rail access in the 1200 block of S. State Rd., in Chicago Heights. One defendant, identified as Carlos Osvaldo Quintero, allegedly spoke to a Union Pacific employee on multiple occasions to coordinate the delivery of the train cars to the warehouse. From Dec. 6 through Dec. 10, the rail cars were unloaded by individuals who used forklifts to move large bundled packages containing marijuana from inside the cars to a storage facility located about 50 yards from the initial warehouse. On several occasions on Nov. 17 and 18, CBP officers spoke with a customs broker who works in Eagle Pass, Texas. The broker stated that he had been hired by Earth Minerals, and that a man identifying himself as "Miguel Dominguez" had called him multiple times on Nov. 17 to inquire about the whereabouts and estimated arrival date for the rail cars. Further investigation yielded no public records of any businesses named Chicago Earth Minerals Corp. or Earth Minerals Corp. in Illinois. On Dec. 1, agents arranged for the delivery of a test train car, believed to be carrying no marijuana, to the Chicago Heights warehouse premises. The gate to the premises was locked and the test rail car was parked outside overnight. The next morning, agents observed an individual identified as "Carlos Gomez," and three unidentified men arrive at the premises. Gomez and the others were observed pushing the test car inside the warehouse premises, using a mechanical device. Later that day, agents observed Gomez and the others use a forklift to move cargo from the test car onto pallets. Using aerial surveillance, agents further observed the pallets being loaded onto a tractor trailer with a flatbed. On Dec. 6, agents caused the six interdicted rail cars to be delivered to the train tracks adjoining the Chicago Heights warehouse. Agents observed several individuals arrive at the site and watched as the individuals moved one of the rail cars inside the warehouse premises using a mechanical device. Throughout last week, ICE HSI and DEA agents, using court-authorized video recording inside the facility and aerial surveillance, observed individuals unloading the large super sacks from the rail cars, and specifically observed the following pattern of activity: * About four individuals used forklifts to unload super sacks from one of the rail cars that was parked inside the site; Agents maintained constant surveillance and did not observe any marijuana being removed from the storage facility. From Dec. 6 through Dec. 15, agents used court-authorized wiretaps to intercept numerous telephone conversations in which Carlos Osvaldo Quintero and others allegedly discussed unloading, transporting and distributing the marijuana. The marijuana distribution conspiracy carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life imprisonment and a $4 million fine. If convicted, the Court must determine a reasonable sentence to impose under the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines. The government is being represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Steven Grimes, Nicole Kim, and Erika Csicsila, Northern District of Illinois. A complaint contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Miami jeweler sentenced to 10 years for Ponzi and bank fraud schemes MIAMI (MMD Newswire) December 3, 2010 -- Luis Felipe Perez, 38, of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., was sentenced to prison earlier today, following an investigation led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). United States District Judge Paul C. Huck sentenced Perez to 10 years in prison for securities fraud in connection with a $40 million Ponzi scheme and five years in prison in connection with a $12 million bank fraud scheme. The sentences will run concurrently and will be followed by three years supervised release, which includes one-year of home confinement. Additionally, Judge Huck ordered Perez to pay restitution in the amount of approximately $10 million. From approximately 2006 through mid-2009, Perez solicited funds from approximately 35 individuals in exchange for promissory notes or oral loan agreements. Perez falsely informed investors that they would be investing in his jewelry businesses or in pawn shops that were located in New York City. In fact, however, only a small portion of investor money was used for Perez's jewelry businesses and none of the money was ever invested with any pawn shops. According to the charges, Perez also promised investors high returns from these investments of between 2% to 10% monthly, which would result in 24% to 120% paid annually. Perez created an unsustainable Ponzi scheme in which he used the monies collected from new investors to pay the returns promised to the earlier investors. When prospective investors told Perez that they did not have money available to invest with him, he referred them to a Certified Public Accountant named Berta Sanders, who pleaded guilty on Oct. 28 to conspiracy to commit bank fraud with Perez. Once Perez referred the investors to Sanders, she prepared fraudulent loan applications, which were submitted to Wachovia Bank on their behalf. These false loan applications contained false information about the borrower's business income, assets, and accounts receivable. Sanders also prepared false tax returns, bank statements, and personal financial statements in connection with the line of credit applications. Sanders received a fee of approximately 10% of the loan amount in exchange for her services and paid a portion of these fees to Richard Garcia, a Wachovia loan officer, as compensation for his assistance in preparing and processing the fraudulent applications. Garcia pleaded guilty to bank fraud conspiracy on Nov. 1. Once the borrowers received the proceeds from the fraudulent loan applications, they invested most of the funds in Perez's Ponzi-scheme. When Perez's Ponzi scheme ultimately collapsed in May 2009, most of the fraudulent loans obtained from Wachovia subsequently defaulted as well. Most of Perez's investors never recovered their investments, while Perez made millions of dollars and lived an extravagant lifestyle that included a multi-million dollar home, expensive cars, and international travel. The loss created by Perez's participation in these fraudulent activities is approximately $37 million. The investigation was conducted by ICE HSI in Miami, the City of Miami Police Department and the U.S. Secret Service. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew K. Levi and Richard Gregorie. Press Release Source: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Extradition of Senior Aide to Albanian Foreign Minister Charged with Murder, Kidnapping, and Other Racketeering Offenses PREET BHARARA, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and JANICE K. FEDARCYK, the Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation ("FBI"), announced the extradition of ALMIR RRAPO from Albania for his involvement in a racketeering enterprise that engaged in murder, kidnapping, narcotics trafficking, extortion, robbery, arson, obstruction of justice, and interstate transportation of stolen goods. RRAPO was arrested by the Albanian National Police on July 2, 2010, at the request of the United States. At the time of his arrest, RRAPO was employed as the Senior Administrative Assistant to the Deputy Prime Minister of Albania. Manhattan U.S. Attorney PREET BHARARA said: "Shortly after ALMIR RRAPO allegedly participated in the brutal murder of Erion Shehu, RRAPO fled to Albania in an effort to escape the American criminal justice system. With the assistance of our international law enforcement partners, we will continue to ensure that individuals involved in international organized crime face justice in the United States, wherever they may be hiding." FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge JANICE K. FEDARCYK said: "Today's cooperation in the extradition of Almir Rrapo should be a stern message to the murderers, kidnappers, and drug dealers who try to flee prosecution: you can run, but you cannot hide. The FBI will continue to track down these hardened criminals wherever they may be. I am thankful for the cooperation of the Albanian National Police and for all of our law enforcement partners across the globe who work tirelessly to put criminals behind bars, where they belong." According to the 13-count superseding Indictment and other court documents: ALMIR RRAPO participated in a racketeering enterprise (the "Krasniqi Organization") led by brothers BRUNO KRASNIQI and SAIMIR KRASNIQI, which operated in New York, Michigan, Connecticut, and elsewhere. The Krasniqi Organization sought to enrich its members through various criminal schemes, including the trafficking of more than 1,500 pounds of marijuana, and used firearms and violence to protect its power and territory, as well as to instill fear among rival drug dealers and victims. For example, RRAPO and other members of the Krasniqi Organization kidnapped a rival drug dealer at gunpoint, pistol-whipped him, and placed the muzzle of a firearm in his mouth, threatening to kill him if he did not disclose the locations of other members of his narcotics crew. RRAPO and other members of the Krasniqi Organization also murdered ERION SHEHU in a drive by-shooting outside a Queens café as a result of the Krasniqi Organization's ongoing turf battle with that other narcotics crew. RRAPO and other members are charged with homicides, kidnapping, conspiring to distribute more than 100 kilograms of marijuana, drug robbery, extortion, firearms possession and use, and obstruction of justice, among other offenses. * * * RRAPO is charged with two counts of racketeering, which carry a potential penalty of life in prison; one count of murder in aid of racketeering, which carries a potential penalty of life in prison; one count of kidnapping in aid of racketeering, which carries a potential penalty of life in prison; two counts of narcotics conspiracy, each of which carries a potential penalty of 40 years in prison; one count of Hobbs Act robbery, which carries a potential penalty of 20 years in prison; and two counts of possession and use of a firearm, one of which includes a firearm with a silencer which carries a potential penalty of life in prison with 30 years to run consecutively with any other sentence of imprisonment. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge RICHARD J. HOLWELL. Five Somalis Convicted of Piracy Against USS Nicholas
NORFOLK, VA—A federal jury in Norfolk, Va., has convicted five men from Somalia of engaging in piracy and related offenses in their attack on the USS Nicholas, marking what is believed to be the first piracy trial conviction in the United States since 1820. Neil H. MacBride, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Janice K. Fedarcyk, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI's New York Field Office; Alex J. Turner, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Norfolk Field Office; and Mark Russ, Special Agent in Charge of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) in Norfolk, made the announcement after the verdict was accepted by United States District Judge Mark S. Davis. "Today marks the first jury conviction of piracy in more than 190 years," said U.S. Attorney MacBride. "These five Somali pirates were convicted of an armed assault on the high seas against what they thought was a merchant vessel, but turned out to be a U.S. Navy frigate engaged in counter-piracy operations off the Horn of Africa. Modern-day pirates not only threaten human lives but also disrupt international commerce by extorting hundreds of millions of dollars in ransom payments. Today's conviction demonstrates that armed attacks on U.S.-flagged vessels are crimes against the international community and that pirates will face severe consequences in U.S. courts." "Ensuring maritime security on the world's seas continues to be a high priority for NCIS as part of the international law enforcement community," said NCIS Special Agent in Charge Russ. "NCIS is forward deployed with U.S. naval forces and is able to deliver a unique blend of capabilities to help deter and prosecute pirates." After nine days of trial, the jury convicted the five men—Mohammed Modin Hasan, Gabul Abdullahi Ali, Abdi Wali Dire, Abdi Mohammed Gurewardher, and Abdi Mohammed Umar, all from Somalia—of piracy, attack to plunder a vessel, act of violence against persons on a vessel, assault with a dangerous weapon, assault with a dangerous weapon on federal officers and employees, conspiracy to use firearms during a crime of violence, and multiple firearm counts, including the use of a rocket propelled grenade (RPG). They face a mandatory penalty of life in prison when they are sentenced on March 14, 2011. The Somalis were indicted on April 21, 2010, and were later charged with additional crimes in a 14-count superseding indictment on July 7, 2010. According to evidence and trial testimony, the five men left Somalia in search of a merchant ship to pirate. They used a larger ship full of supplies, along with two smaller vessels loaded with assault weapons and a rocket propelled grenade (RPG) that served as attack boats. On April 1, 2010, Hasan, Ali, and Dire boarded one of these smaller vessels and set out to pirate what they believed to be a merchant ship, while Gurewardher and Umar remained onboard the large ship to maintain that ship during the attack. Ali and Dire each carried an assault weapon, and Hasan carried an RPG. They opened fire on a ship, which they later discovered was the USS Nicholas, an Oliver Hazard Perry class frigate homeported in Norfolk, Va. The piracy conviction and the conviction for the use of a destructive device (an RPG) in relation to a crime of violence both carry a mandatory penalty of life in prison. In addition, they are facing a maximum of 10 years in prison for attack to plunder a vessel; a maximum of 20 years in prison for conspiracy and an act of violence against persons on a vessel; a maximum of 10 years in prison for assault with a dangerous weapon in the special maritime jurisdiction; a maximum of 20 years in prison for assault with a dangerous weapon on federal officers and employees; a maximum of 20 years in prison for conspiracy to use firearms during a crime of violence; a maximum of 10 years in prison for one count of use of a firearm during a crime of violence, a second firearm count carries an additional 25 years—to equal 35 years—in prison. The investigation was conducted by the FBI and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph DePadilla, John Davis, and Benjamin L. Hatch from the Eastern District of Virginia and Trial Attorney Jerome Teresinski from the Department of Justice's National Security Division prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States. Ruston, Louisiana Man Sentenced for Federal Hate Crime WASHINGTON—Robert Jackson, 37, of Ruston, Louisiana, was sentenced to 12 months in federal prison for placing a hangman’s noose under the carport of the home of a Honduran immigrant who moved to Ruston from New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Jackson was also sentenced to one year of supervised release upon his release from prison. Today’s sentence was handed down by U.S. Magistrate Judge Karen L. Hayes in Monroe, La. Jackson entered a guilty plea on June 24, 2010, to violating the Fair Housing Act by intimidating and interfering with another’s housing rights because of race. According to court testimony, the victim and her children arrived home on June 13, 2008, and found a hangman’s noose suspended from a bird-feeder underneath the carport of her home. Jackson admitted that he hung the noose in order “to send a message” to African-American males who visited the victim’s home. “A noose is an unmistakable symbol of hate in our country, and using this symbol to intimidate a family will not be tolerated,” said Thomas E. Perez, Assistant Attorney General of the Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department will vigorously prosecute those who resort to violent acts motivated by hate.” “When a noose is used to interfere with federally protected rights, it is a crime which will be prosecuted by this office,” said Stephanie Finley, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana. “The victim and her family sought nothing more than to live in their home peacefully. Everyone should feel safe in their homes without being subjected to hateful acts.” The case was investigated by the FBI, Monroe Resident Agency; and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Mudrick and Trial Attorney Myesha Braden of the Civil Right Division of the Department of Justice. U.S. Marshals Arrest Florida Murder Suspect Thomasville, GA - The United States Marshals Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force announced the arrest today of Monday Lee Demarsh, 36, of Monticello, Florida for the offense of Homicide. Demarsh was currently being sought by the Lakeland Police Department outside of Tampa, Florida after law enforcement officers developed probable cause that Demarsh was responsible for the death of his live-in girlfriend. U.S. Marshals in Tampa, Florida contacted the Task Force early this morning after learning that Demarsh had fled Polk County, Florida and returned to family members living in the Monticello, Florida area. Task Force members learned that Demarsh was enroute from Monticello to Thomasville, Georgia to pickup a family member from a local business located at 2125 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Thomasville, GA. An urgent request for assistance was requested from the Thomas County Sheriff’s Office and the Thomasville Police Department to assist US Marshals in locating and arresting Demarsh. U.S. Marshal Task Force Officers along with Thomas County deputies, Thomasville police officers and Thomasville PD K9 units established surveillance on the business and at 2:00pm observed Demarsh arriving in a 2006 Blue Subaru Truck to pickup his brother Nathan Page. Demarsh was quickly surronded by over 15 law enforcement officers and arrested without incident. Demarsh’s brother, Nathan Page, was also arrested on active warrants from Brooks County, Georgia and a small quantity of marijuana was seized from the vehicle. Demarsh is currently being held in the Thomas County Jail awaiting extradition back to Polk County, Florida. The U.S. Marshals Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force is comprised of officers and deputies from the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office, Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office, Liberty County Sheriff’s Office, Taylor County Sheriff’s Office, Madison County Sheriff’s Office, Tallahassee Police Department, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Leon County State Attorney’s Office, and the Perry Police Department. These officers and deputies are sworn in as Special Deputy US Marshals and have the authority to pursue violent wanted felons from their jurisdictions anywhere within the United States or her territories. Imprisoned Spy Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Act as an Agent of the Russian Government and Money Laundering PORTLAND, OR—United States Attorney Dwight C. Holton announced today that Harold James Nicholson, 59, appeared before U.S. District Judge Anna J. Brown and pled guilty to the crimes of conspiracy to act as an agent of a foreign government and conspiracy to commit international money laundering. The maximum penalties for those crimes are five years in prison and a fine of $250,000, and 20 years in prison and a fine of $500,000, respectively. The plea agreement states both parties will ask the court at sentencing to impose an eight-year prison sentence to be served consecutive to the sentence the defendant is currently serving. Judge Brown has scheduled sentencing on January 18, 2022 at 1:30 p.m. Harold J. Nicholson, a former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) employee, is serving a 283-month sentence at the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) in Sheridan, Oregon, for a 1997 conviction of conspiracy to commit espionage. At the plea hearing, Harold J. Nicholson admitted that from 2006 to December 2008, with the assistance of his son Nathaniel, he acted on behalf of the Russian Federation, passed information to the Russian Federation, and received cash proceeds for his past espionage activities. Harold J. Nicholson admitted that during the course of the conspiracy, he met with his son Nathaniel on several occasions at FCI Sheridan and provided Nathaniel information intended for the Russian Federation. Defendant admitted that it was part of the conspiracy that Nathaniel would travel to several locations, including San Francisco, California, Mexico City, Mexico, Lima, Peru, and Nicosia, Cyprus, to meet with agents of the Russian Federation. At these meetings, Nathaniel provided the Russian Federation information from the defendant and collected money for defendant's past espionage activities. Defendant followed the instructions of the Russian Federation and provided information requested by the Russians to Nathaniel to deliver to Russian agents at the overseas locations. Defendant directed Nathaniel on how to covertly travel with the funds from the Russian Federation and how to disperse the funds to family members. U.S. Attorney for Oregon, Dwight C. Holton stated, "Harold Nicholson has admitted not only betraying his country—again—but also betraying his family by involving his son Nathaniel in his corrupt scheme to get more money for his past espionage activities. We applaud the outstanding work of the FBI on this criminal investigation and the extraordinary cooperation of the Bureau of Prisons." "Harold Nicholson, one of the highest-ranking CIA officials ever convicted of espionage, dispatched his son around the globe to collect on past espionage debts from Russian agents. Today, he admitted using this scheme to continue to profit from his spying activities while in prison. The many agents, analysts, and prosecutors who worked on this matter deserve our thanks," said David Kris, Assistant Attorney General for National Security. "When he was hired by the CIA, Harold Nicholson took an oath to protect our nation's security. He violated this oath," said, Sean Joyce, Executive Assistant Director FBI National Security Division. "The FBI will relentlessly pursue those who breach the trust our country places in them." "During his career with the CIA, this country entrusted Harold 'Jim' Nicholson with some of its most sensitive secrets," said Arthur Balizan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Oregon. "Not once—but twice—he betrayed his oath, our nation, and his family. Unfortunately, this is a legacy he and his children will live with from now on." The FBI and the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorneys Pamala Holsinger and Ethan Knight are prosecuted this case. Trial Attorney Patrick Murphy of the Counterespionage Section of the Justice Department's National Security Division is also assisting. Defendant Pleads Guilty in Connection with Multi-Agency Pharmacy Investigation SAN FRANCISCO—The owner of an illegal Internet pharmacy pleaded guilty to distributing controlled substances outside the scope of professional medical practice, United States Attorney Melinda Haag and Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Anthony D. Williams announced. Robert Smoley, the owner of United Mail Pharmacy Services, pleaded guilty before United States District Court Judge Jeffrey White, admitting that between 2001 and February 2008, he and others distributed in excess of $48 million worth of controlled pharmaceutical substances. Smoley admitted that these distributions were done outside the scope of professional medical practice without a legitimate medical purpose. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute schedule III and IV controlled substances, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 846, and conspiracy to launder money, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §1956(h). “By illegally selling controlled pharmaceutical substances, Mr. Smoley demonstrated his disregard for the health, safety and well being of his customers as well as the law,” U.S. Attorney Haag said. “My office takes crimes like this seriously and will continue to work with our brothers and sisters in law enforcement to bring individuals such as this to justice.” “The Smoley drug trafficking organization fed the habits of drug seekers while its members chose profits over the health and well-being of those customers. This guilty plea demonstrates how collaborative law enforcement efforts can dismantle significant drug trafficking organizations. DEA and its law enforcement partners will aggressively pursue those who facilitate the diversion of pharmaceutical drugs,” stated DEA Special Agent in Charge Anthony D. Williams. “IRS Criminal Investigation follows the money to dismantle the financial backbone of illegal organizations and to seize the profits of their illegal activities,” said Daniel W. Auer, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division. “Through cooperative law enforcement efforts such as this one, we will hold accountable those individuals who commit crimes against our society and our economy.” The sentencing of Smoley is scheduled for Feb. 10, 2011, before Judge White in San Francisco. The maximum statutory penalty for each count of conspiring to distribute controlled substances, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 846 is five years and a fine of $250,000, or twice the value of the property involved in the offense, whichever is greater; and for each count of conspiring to launder monetary instruments, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1956(h), is 20 years and a fine of $500,000, or twice the value of the property involved in the offense, whichever is greater. However, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553. Kirstin Ault is the Assistant U.S. Attorney who is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Michelle Alter and Erica Doerr. The prosecution is the result of an Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation involving the coordinated efforts of multiple federal and state law enforcement agencies, as well as foreign authorities from several jurisdictions. The law enforcement agencies include the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations, the Food and Drug Administration Office of Criminal Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the Boards of Pharmacy from North Carolina, Florida, Kansas, Colorado, Connecticut, and Louisiana. Significant additional assistance was provided by authorities in Brazil and several other foreign countries. Smoley’s plea agreement was obtained in connection with an international investigation of illegal Internet pharmacies that began in 2005. The investigation has resulted in the indictment of 37 federal defendants, the conviction of 27 individuals on federal criminal charges, and the dismantling of more than five Internet pharmacies that illegally distributed more than 80 million doses of controlled substances to users in the United States. As a result of the investigation, law enforcement agents have seized more than $40 million in cash and assets, including several high value homes and multiple luxury vehicles. Extradition of Seven Israeli Defendants Charged in Multi-Million-Dollar Lottery Telemarketing Fraud Scheme Targeted Elderly Victims in the United States PREET BHARARA, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and JANICE K. FEDARCYK, the Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation ("FBI"), announced the extradition from Israel of seven individuals, all residents of Israel, on charges relating to a lottery telemarketing fraud scheme through which they stole approximately $2 million from elderly victims in the United States between 2007 and September 2008. This is the largest number of Israeli citizens ever extradited to a foreign country in a single case. Manhattan U.S. Attorney PREET BHARARA said: "The perpetrators of this fraudulent lottery scheme gambled and lost. They allegedly preyed on the elderly, gained their trust, and exploited their vulnerability, but now they will face American justice. We will not tolerate this criminal conduct and these extraditions demonstrate that those who target American victims from outside our borders will be caught and will be prosecuted in the United States. We are committed to working with our law enforcement partners here and abroad to ensure that international organized criminals are brought to justice." FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge JANICE K. FEDARCYK said: "Perhaps the most disturbing detail of the 'lottery prize' scheme is the brazen attempt by the defendants to allegedly target the elderly and exploit them for financial gain. In turn, they hit more than the jackpot with a ticket to the United States to face charges that carry potential long-term penalties. Along with our law enforcement partners at home and abroad, we will continue to seek out those who engage in this type of illegal activity." According to the Indictments previously filed in Manhattan federal court: The defendants participated in a phoney "lottery prize" scheme that targeted hundreds of victims, mostly elderly, throughout the United States. They identified victims by purchasing the names and contact information of U.S. residents who subscribed to sweepstakes lotteries from list brokers. They then contacted the victims and solicited information about their finances by falsely telling them they had won a substantial cash prize they would receive as soon as they paid the necessary fees and taxes. In reality, there was no lottery prize and the victims were ultimately robbed of an estimated $2 million. All seven defendants were provisionally arrested in Israel in September 2008 based on the Indictments. They are each charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and mail fraud through telemarketing, which carries a maximum potential penalty of 30 years in prison, and two substantive counts of wire fraud through telemarketing. Each of the substantive counts carries a maximum potential penalty of 30 years in prison. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge LEWIS A. KAPLAN. SHAI KADOSH, who is also charged in the scheme, is currently a fugitive. The investigation into the lottery telemarketing fraud scheme was conducted in New York by the FBI, with assistance from the Israel National Police. Mr. BHARARA praised the investigative work of the FBI and the Tel Aviv Fraud Division of the Israel National Police. He also thanked the Office of International Affairs, United States Department of Justice Criminal Division; Department of International Affairs within the Office of the State Attorney in the Ministry of Justice for the State of Israel; and the Tel Aviv District Attorney's Office for their cooperation in the investigation. Tax Protestors Sentenced to Federal Prison for Tax Evasion EUGENE, OR—Chief U.S. District Court Judge Ann Aiken sentenced three former Bend area residents on Thursday to prison for conspiracy, tax evasion, and structuring. Jerry Miller, 61, of Redmond, was sentenced to 33 months in prison and three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay over $200,000 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Mr. Miller was previously found guilty of five counts of income tax evasion and one count of conspiracy following a four-day jury trial. William Cardwell, 62, of Carlton, was sentenced to 12 months and a day of in prison and three years of supervised release. Mr. Cardwell was ordered to pay $197,594 in restitution to the IRS. His wife, Jennifer Cardwell, 58, of Carlton, was sentenced to five months in prison to be followed by five months of home detention. She was also ordered to pay $114,379 in restitution to the IRS. The Cardwells previously pleaded guilty pursuant to plea agreements. Mr. Cardwell pleaded guilty to one count of tax evasion and to one count of structuring currency transactions to avoid reporting requirements. Ms. Cardwell pleaded guilty to one count of tax evasion. According to evidence presented at trial, between 1995 and 2005, Miller and the Cardwells worked at Business Administrative Services (BAS), a company owned and operated by the Cardwells in Bend, Oregon. BAS was, in part, a payroll tax company. Prior to 1995, Miller and the Cardwells regularly filed federal income tax returns with the IRS. In 1995 and 1996, Miller and the Cardwells began using abusive trusts to evade the assessment and collection of their federal income taxes. They further attempted to thwart the IRS’s efforts to assess and collect federal income taxes by entering into a “Professional Services Agreement” with BAS, whereby Miller and Mr. Cardwell agreed to donate their time to BAS, and in return, BAS agreed to pay their personal expenses. Miller and the Cardwells used BAS’s corporate bank account to pay many of their personal expenses. Additionally, Miller and the Cardwells used BAS to obtain preloaded ATM cards that were also used to pay personal expenses. In October 2005, Miller and the Cardwells also filed false federal income tax returns for 1998-2004. Sixty-Nine Children Rescued During Operation Cross Country FBI Washington, D.C. November 08, 2010 - Over the past 72 hours, the FBI, its local and state law enforcement partners, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) concluded Operation Cross Country V, a three-day national enforcement action as part of the Innocence Lost National Initiative. The operation included enforcement actions in 40 cities across 34 FBI divisions around the country and led to the recovery of 69 children who were being victimized through prostitution. Additionally, nearly 885 others, including 99 pimps, were arrested on state and local charges. “Child prostitution continues to be a significant problem in our country, as evidenced by the number of children rescued through the continued efforts of our crimes against children task forces,” said Shawn Henry, executive assistant director of the FBI’s Criminal, Cyber, Response, and Services Branch. “There is no work more important than protecting America’s children and freeing them from the cycle of victimization. Through our strategic partnerships with state and local law enforcement agencies, we are able to make a difference.” Task Force operations usually begin as local actions, targeting such places as truck stops, casinos, street “tracks,” and Internet websites, based on intelligence gathered by officers working in their respective jurisdictions. Initial arrests are often violations of local and state laws relating to prostitution or solicitation. Information gleaned from those arrested often uncovers organized efforts to prostitute women and children across many states. FBI agents further develop this information in partnership with U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the U.S. Department of Justice’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) and file federal charges where appropriate. To date, the 39 Innocence Lost Task Forces and Working Groups have recovered over 1,200 children from the streets. The investigations and subsequent 625 convictions have resulted in lengthy sentences, including multiple 25-years-to-life sentences and the seizure of more than $3.1 million in assets. In the spring of 2003, the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division, in partnership with the Department of Justice’s CEOS and NCMEC, formed the Innocence Lost National Initiative to address the growing problem of children forced into prostitution. “The leadership of the FBI and the Justice Department in attacking domestic child trafficking and prostitution is historic,” said Ernie Allen, president of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. “Once again, Operation Cross Country has awakened the nation to the fact that today, American children are being marketed and sold for sex in American cities. These kids are victims. This is 21st century slavery. We are proud to be a part of this extraordinary partnership to rescue children, save lives, and bring the pimps and operators to justice.” This program brings state and federal law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and social service providers all from around the country to NCMEC, where the groups are trained together. In addition, CEOS has reinforced the training by assigning prosecutors to help bring cases in those cities plagued by child prostitution. The FBI thanks the over 2,100 local, state, and federal law enforcement officers representing 186 separate agencies who participated in Operation Cross Country and ongoing enforcement efforts. The charges announced today are merely accusations, and all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law. For more information on Operation Cross Country and the Innocence Lost National Initiative, visit www.fbi.gov, www.justice.gov, or www.ncmec.org. ATF National Response Team Activated to Investigate Mount Vernon Fire MT. VERNON, Ohio — The National Response Team (NRT) from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) along with agents from the ATF Columbus Field Division have been activated at the request of the Ohio Division of State Fire Marshal to investigate the Oct. 25 fire at 201 S. Main Street, Mt. Vernon. The NRT will arrive Wednesday to conduct an assessment of the fire scene and formulate an investigative plan with state and local investigators. Christopher Sadowski, special agent in charge, ATF Columbus Field Division, said the structure is a total loss. Past deployments of the NRT to Central Ohio include the investigation of the Sept. 2008 arson fire at Mason’s Furniture Store in Circleville, the May 2009 arson fire at Highcom-Wolfden in Hilliard, and the Sept. 2010 fire on N. Sandusky Street in Delaware County, said Sadowski. ATF’s NRT has brought definitive expertise and an array of state-of-the-art equipment to the investigation of major fire and explosives incidents since 1978. Since its inception, the NRT has partnered with federal, state and local investigators in meeting the challenges faced at the scenes of significant arson and explosives incidents. Investigators from the Ohio Division of State Fire Marshal and the Mount Vernon Police and Fire Departments will jointly investigate with the NRT. The NRT works alongside its partners in reconstructing the scene, identifying the seat of the blast or the origin of the fire, conducting interviews, and sifting through debris to obtain evidence related to the explosion or fire. This is the 4th NRT activation in fiscal year 2011 and the 712 since its inception. The NRT is composed of veteran special agents, including certified explosives specialists and certified fire investigators; forensic mappers, accelerant and explosives detection canines; explosives enforcement officers; fire protection engineers; electrical engineers; and forensic chemists. NRT special agents are explosives and fire investigators trained to work numerous fire and explosives scenes. The team works jointly with state and local law enforcement/fire service personnel in onsite investigations. In addition to investigating hundreds of large fire scenes, the NRT has also been activated to scenes such as the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, the Oklahoma City Murrah Federal Building bombing and the 9/11 Pentagon crash site, as well as explosions at explosives and ammunition manufacturing plants, legal fireworks factories and illegal explosive device manufacturing operations. The NRT is also deployed to support the safety and security of major sporting events in the United States, presidential inaugurations, national political conventions and major international conferences. Since its inception, the NRT has been activated more than 700 times. The responding NRT component typically has 13 to 18 members, including veteran special agents who have post blast and fire origin-and-cause expertise; forensic chemists; explosives enforcement officers; fire protection engineers; accelerant detection canines; explosives detection canines; intelligence support, computer forensic support and forensic audit support. Further complementing the team’s efforts are technical, legal and intelligence advisors. A fleet of fully equipped response vehicles strategically located throughout the United States provides logistical support. Carmen Miranda Sentenced for Failing to File Tax Returns Not This Carmen Miranda
PHILADELPHIA — Carmen Miranda, 74, of Philadelphia, pled guilty today to willfully failing to file tax returns and was immediately sentenced to one year of probation. Carmen Miranda also entered into a stipulated settlement agreement in which she agreed to pay $218,582.92 to the Internal Revenue Service to satisfy the federal civil taxes, interest, and penalties she owes, as well as forfeit $47,036.89. Miranda received approximately $54,649 in gross income in 2006, was required to file income tax returns for that year, knew this, and failed to file the tax returns. The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah L. Grieb. from Webmaster B. javamanmonk: Yes, I thought the name thing that you did, when I saw the title, so I did a little fact-finding, the list of people named Carmen Maranda is longer than your arm, so the FBI and the IRS were having a little fun. whoever this lady is she owes a lot of taxes, but got off with a slap on the wrist, as far as jail time, but they did get over $47,000 in forfeitures.
Louisiana Man Indicted for Involvement in Hate Crime at School
WASHINGTON—A federal grand jury has indicted Christopher Shane Montgomery, a resident of Bastrop, Louisiana, for conspiring to commit a hate crime, tampering with a witness, and lying to federal authorities, announced the Justice Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana. If convicted of these charges, Montgomery faces up to 40 years in prison. The four-count indictment alleges that on or about Nov. 6, 2007, Montgomery and another person not identified in the indictment tied a noose around the neck of a dead raccoon and hung the raccoon and noose from a flagpole at Beekman Junior High School in Bastrop in order to intimidate African-American students attending the school under a court-ordered busing policy. Montgomery is also charged for lying on two occasions to an FBI agent investigating the hate crime and for tampering with a witness during the investigation. This case is being investigated by the FBI. This case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Kevonne Small of the Civil Rights Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Mudrick of the Western District of Louisiana. An indictment is only an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. Twelve Members of the Bloods Street Gang Indicted Racketeering, Murder, Drug Distribution, and Firearms Charges An indictment was unsealed in federal court in Brooklyn this morning charging members of the “Nine-Trey Gangsters,” also known as the “Bugout Boyz,” a set of the Bloods street gang, with racketeering, murder, drug distribution, and firearms offenses. Two defendants, including Laron Spicer, were charged with the July 18, 2008, murder of a drug rival; eight defendants were charged with racketeering; nine defendants were charged with illegally possessing guns in connection with drug trafficking; three defendants were charged with armed robbery; and all defendants were charged with conspiring to distribute heroin and cocaine. 1 The defendants arrested are scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Andrew L. Carter, Jr., at the U.S. Courthouse, 225 Cadman Plaza East, Brooklyn, New York. The case is assigned to United States District Judge Sterling Johnson, Jr. The charges were announced by Loretta E. Lynch, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Janice K. Fedarcyk, Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office, and Raymond W. Kelly, Commissioner, New York City Police Department.
FBI and NYPD depart police station with subject during this morning’s arrests. According to the indictment and a detention memorandum filed by the government, a two-year joint investigation by the FBI and the NYPD revealed that the Nine- Trey Gangsters operated for at least 12 years on Sterling Place in the Crown Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn, where they controlled four apartment buildings which they used as a focal point for crack cocaine and heroin dealing. The gang members allegedly dominated the illegal activity on their block and committed shootings, slashings, and other acts of violence to protect their turf. On July 18, 2008, armed gang members allegedly attempted to rob the apartment of a rival drug dealer on Sterling Place, and beat one individual in the apartment with a handgun. Later that same day, two of the defendants allegedly lured a rival drug dealer into the street where they shot him to death. Also during the summer of 2008, one of the defendants forced a resident of Sterling Place from her apartment at gunpoint, and the gang turned the apartment into a crack den. “Today’s charges and arrests are yet another example of our commitment to eliminating gang violence and restoring our communities to their residents who wish to live, work, and raise families in peace,” stated United States Attorney Lynch. “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to free our neighborhoods from the twin evils of narcotics trafficking and the violence it breeds.” Ms. Lynch thanked the Kings County District Attorney’s Office for its assistance and stated that the government’s investigation is continuing. FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Fedarcyk stated, “As alleged in the indictment and other government filings, Laron Spicer was committed to an enterprise that not only terrorized people of the Brooklyn neighborhood where this gang operated, but affected interstate and foreign commerce by engaging in a great deal of illegal activity and acts of violence to include murder. He was allegedly the ‘Face’ of an organization responsible for instilling fear and trepidation into the lives of innocent people, but now he must face the FBI and our fellow law enforcement partners as we enforce the law and vigorously pursue justice.” NYPD Commissioner Kelly stated, “This case is an example of the relationship between drugs and violent crime, where individuals use illegal guns and murder to battle rivals over a drug trafficking market. I want to commend the detectives, agents, and prosecutors who worked together to bring these alleged gang members to justice.” If convicted of murder, Spicer and a co-defendant face up to life imprisonment or the death penalty. If convicted on the drug distribution conspiracy charge, each of the 12 defendants faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum sentence of life in prison. If convicted of illegal firearms possession, nine of the defendants face mandatory sentences of at least five years and a maximum of life in prison. The government’s case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Matthew Amatruda and Zainab Ahmad. The defendants arrested today: LARON A. SPICER DWAYNE MONROE SHAHEIM ROGERS RASHAWN SHARP JAMES WILLIAMS DARRIS BROWN JERMAINE WILLIAMS MICHAEL WEBB An Increase in Efforts to Enforce Financial Fraud Crimes The Obama Administration's Operation Stolen Dreams targets financial wrongdoing, mortgage fraud and other white collar crimes. August 13, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Federal officials are not keeping secret their escalated efforts to prosecute financial fraud crimes involving U.S. government funds as well as U.S. government-backed or government-insured funds. Prior to the economic turbulence of the past few years, civil and criminal actions against firms suspected of defrauding government agencies or their proxies were mostly separate matters. But FBI investigators and Department of Justice prosecutors have announced their intention to investigate alleged wrongdoing involving federal funds, and individual criminal indictments have become more common. In June, the Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force, which includes Attorney General Eric Holder, FBI Director Robert Mueller, and Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Inspector General Kenneth M. Donohue, announced results produced by Operation Stolen Dreams, a comprehensive and unprecedented mortgage fraud enforcement effort. According to the task force, the initiative has already led to the investigation of over 1,200 potential criminal defendants and resulted in hundreds of arrests across the country, based on billions of dollars in alleged losses involving federal funds. Hundreds of civil enforcement actions have been launched as well, with judgments to date approaching $150 million. A recent prominent example involves the Florida mortgage lender Taylor, Bean & Whitaker Mortgage Corp., which was investigated due to a $3 billion investment of Toxic Asset Recovery Program (TARP) funds in its Colonial Bancgroup subsidiary. The chairman of the firm, Lee Farkas, was charged with conspiracy to commit bank, wire and securities fraud in June against the Federal Housing Authority for allegedly using fraudulent schemes to prop up his mortgage firm prior to filing for bankruptcy in 2009. The Wall Street Journal has identified this as the largest TARP fraud case yet. The Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program described it as "one of the most significant criminal cases to arise from the financial crisis thus far" in its quarterly report to Congress. Media scrutiny of this case will no doubt increase as Farkas's November trial date approaches. Complex TARP Fraud Prosecutions May Take Years to Resolve The increased volume of mortgage fraud cases involving TARP funds and borrower assistance measures such as the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) will occupy a great deal of federal court attention in coming years. Federal prosecutors have significant resources on their side, and the immense quantities of business records and other documentary evidence involved creates a considerable challenge for criminal defense attorneys and their clients. In the Farkas case, the investigation involved not only the FBI and DOJ, but also the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the Internal Revenue Service. Unlike previous practice, the current trend seems to be to launch criminal charges first to allow civil cases to benefit from further investigation. With the vast attention and criticism that the Obama Administration's attempts to reinvigorate the economy have received, it is not surprising that officials have moved aggressively to show voters that they are committed to protecting the public trust. But financial fraud cases involving conspiracy charges are enormously complex criminal matters, and the media rush to prejudge alleged wrongdoers should not outpace the slow wheels of due process. Justice can only be fulfilled after a clear presentation of evidence from both sides, full consideration of questions of intent and other subjective elements of the crime, and appellate review. Other White Collar Crimes in the Wake of the Great Recession The Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force's effort comes during a decade when public consciousness of many financial crimes has risen. From forgery, credit card fraud and identity theft to insider trading, counterfeiting, qui tam actions and securities fraud, federal and state dragnets regularly make claims about the level of crime in various jurisdictions, and elected officials put resources behind aggressive enforcement. But behind every allegation is a defendant entitled to a presumption of innocence and an exhaustive examination of the evidence. By taking the reins of a defense strategy as soon as suspicion arises, an experienced criminal defense attorney can act swiftly to head off excessive charges, clear up confusion and, if necessary, hold the prosecution to its burden of proof. Complex white-collar prosecutions demand dedicated advocacy, broad familiarity with case law and statutes, and experience with the challenges posed by federal criminal procedure. Article provided by Rothman & Associates, P.A. Pinon Man Indicted for Assault and Discharge of a Firearm During a Crime of Violence PHOENIX—A federal grand jury in Phoenix returned a four count indictment on August 11, 2010 against Jerrick Begay, 27, of Pinon, Arizona, for assault with a dangerous weapon, assault resulting in serious bodily injury, and two counts of discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence. The indictment alleges that on July 16, 2010, within the confines of the Navajo Indian Reservation, Begay assaulted the victim with a dangerous weapon and caused serious bodily injury to the victim during the assault. The indictment further alleges that Begay used a firearm, a .22 caliber rifle, during the assault. Begay got into an altercation with the victim outside of his mother’s home. He soon proceeded to his grandfather’s home, retrieved a rifle, and shot the victim one time in the leg. Convictions for assault with a deadly weapon and assault resulting in serious bodily injury both carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. A conviction for discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence carries a maximum penalty of no less than 10 years up to life, a $250,000 fine, or both. In determining an actual sentence, the judge will consult the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide appropriate sentencing ranges. The judge, however, is not bound by those guidelines in determining a sentence. An indictment is simply the method by which a person is charged with criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until competent evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the Navajo Division of Public Safety - Department of Criminal Investigations, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution is being handled by Christina J. Reid-Moore, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix. Task Force is Two for Two Elyria, Ohio – Wanted fugitives John Wilson, age 28, and Robert “Bobby” Cruz, age 43, were both added to the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force’s Most Wanted “Dangerous Dozen” list which was released on Wednesday to the public. Within 48 hours of the release, both are in custody due to tips received from the public. Wilson was arrested yesterday morning by the Task Force at approximately 11:00 a.m. in Elyria, Ohio. Wilson was wanted by the Elyria Police Department for two counts of felonious assault that occurred on July 8, 2010. Upon the release, the Task Force almost immediately received a call from a tipster which led to Wilson’s arrest at his girlfriend’s residence on W. River Road N in Elyria. Wilson was rumored to have a black handgun that he carried in a backpack. During the arrest investigators discovered a backpack with an airsoft handgun sticking out of the backpack. Cruz, was also arrested yesterday evening after the Task Force received a tip that Cruz was staying with his uncle in Brookpark, Ohio. The Task Force requested assistance from the Brookpark Police Department, who immediately responded to the uncle’s residence on Hummel Road and arrested Cruz without incident. Cruz arrived to his uncle’s house earlier this week and asked if he could stay there for a little while because he didn’t have anywhere else to go. Both fugitives were arrested on the same day that the media publicized the August edition of the Task Force’s Dangerous Dozen. The U.S. Marshals Service is grateful for the assistance from media and the public in apprehending these dangerous fugitives. Acting Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal Drew Deserto, stated, “It is great to see law enforcement work together with the media and the community to bring these wanted fugitives to justice. In Lorain County, the public response has been instrumental in the successful apprehension of seven Dangerous Dozen fugitives since May 2010, when the program was initiated.” Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of a known fugitive is encouraged to contact the U.S. Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at: 1-866-4-WANTED. Callers may remain anonymous. The “Dangerous Dozen” fugitives can be viewed at: The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force – Lorain County Division is composed of the following federal, state and local agencies: Amherst Police Department, Avon Police Department, Avon Lake Police Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms, Department of Housing and Urban Development – OIG, Elyria Police Department, Lorain County Adult Probation, Lorain Police Department, North Ridgeville Police Department, Oberlin Police Department, Ohio Adult Parole Authority, Sheffield Village Police Department, U.S. Marshals Service and Vermilion Police Department. U.S. Marshals Task Force Ends Fugitive's 19 Year Flight from Justice Cleveland, OH – Yesterday turned out to be the day that luck ran out for long time fugitive Leslie “Lucky” Johnson, wanted on a federal arrest warrant for failure to surrender to the Bureau of Prisons stemming from his 1991 federal drug case conviction. Johnson, age 52, was apprehended near Pittsburgh, PA by the U.S. Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Western Pennsylvania Fugitive Task Force after 19 long years on the run. In 1991, Johnson left the greater Cleveland area and his life of looking over his shoulder began. Over the years, Johnson was tracked by the U.S. Marshals from Cleveland to Chicago, IL to Florida to Atlanta, GA to Baltimore, MD and finally ending up in 1997 in the greater Pittsburgh area. Recently Deputy U.S. Marshals and Task Force Officers were able to get one step closer to Johnson by identifying where he was residing at a residence on the 1500 block of Bertner Road in Natrona Heights, PA but he again vacated the residence before they could catch up with him. On Monday, Deputy U.S. Marshals and Task Force Officers from the Cleveland office traveled to the Natrona Heights area, which is located just northeast of Pittsburgh, PA, and continued to work the case with the Task Force in Pittsburgh. Investigators conducted surveillance for 3 days in the Natrona Heights and New Kensington area and gained information that Johnson was in the city of Tarentum, PA. The information that the investigators obtained paid off. Yesterday, Deputy Marshals and Task Force Officers set up surveillance in an Applebee’s restaurant in Tarentum. Shortly after 1:00 p.m., they observed Johnson and an unknown female enter the restaurant. The investigators kept a close eye on Johnson while he enjoyed his last meal on the run and they then safely arrested Johnson, without incident, after exiting the restaurant. Johnson admitted his identity and stated to investigators that he was relieved that his life on the run was over. In 1991, Johnson was convicted of conspiracy to distribute cocaine in Cleveland and was sentenced to 60 months in prison by U.S. District Court Judge John Manos. Johnson will have an identity hearing in federal court in the Western District of Pennsylvania and eventually be transported to the Northern District of Ohio to face the additional charges of failure to surrender and will also begin his long delayed 60 month sentence of incarceration. David Sierleja, Chief of the Criminal Division of the United States Attorney’s Office stated, “The U.S. Attorney’s Office is extremely pleased and satisfied with the outstanding work of the United States Marshals Service tracking this individual down and bringing him to justice.” Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of any known fugitive is encouraged to contact the U.S. Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at: 1-866-4-WANTED. Callers may remain anonymous. Hemet Couple Arrested for Kidnapping and for Impersonating U.S. Marshal Deputy United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced the unsealing today of a five-count indictment charging Gregory Raymond Denny, Jr. and his wife, Karen Denny, of Hemet, California, with conspiracy to commit kidnapping and kidnapping while impersonating a federal officer making an arrest. The indictment alleges that the defendants conspired to falsely arrest and subsequently “deport” a Hemet woman to the Philippines. Gregory Denny also faces additional charges. The Federal Bureau of Investigation arrested the defendants earlier today in Hemet. According to the indictment, on January 15, 2010, Gregory and Karen Denny went to the victim’s residence in Hemet, California where she lived with her husband. Gregory Denny falsely announced that he was a law enforcement officer, handcuffed the victim and informed her that he was going to deport her from the United States. Karen Denny also participated in the false arrest. Gregory and Karen Denny then transported the victim to the Murietta Border Patrol Station where Gregory Denny falsely identified himself as a U.S. Marshal and presented a false badge and credentials. Gregory Denny also falsely informed law enforcement that the victim was the subject of a fugitive arrest warrant and asked Border Patrol to take the victim into custody. After Border Patrol agents refused, Gregory and Karen transported the victim to their residence in Hemet, California, where Gregory Denny called the victim’s husband and directed him to buy the victim a plane ticket to the Philippines. A few hours later, the defendants transported the victim to the San Diego airport. Enroute, Gregory Denny informed the victim that if she did not leave the United States he would arrest her and her husband and they would go to jail for five years. Once at the airport, Gregory Denny escorted the victim to the security checkpoint, falsely identified himself as a U.S. Marshal, presented credentials and a badge and informed Transportation Security Administration personnel that he was escorting a prisoner to a flight. Gregory Denny then escorted the victim to the boarding gate area. The defendants are expected to be in court on Monday, August 9, 2010. DEFENDANTS Case Number: 10CR3043LAB Gregory Raymond Denny, Jr. (charged in Counts 1-5) Age: 38 Karen Denny (charged in Counts 1-3) Age: 52 SUMMARY OF CHARGES Count 1: Title 18, United States Code, Section 1201(c) - Conspiracy to Commit Kidnapping Count 2: Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1201(a)(1) and 2 - Kidnapping and Aiding and Abetting Count 3: Title 18, United States Code, Section 913 and 2 - Impersonator Making Arrest or Search and Aiding and Abetting Count 4: Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1036(a)(4) and (b)(1) - Entry by False Pretenses to the Secure Area of Any Airport Count 5: Title 18, United States Code, Section 1001(a)(3) - False Statement to a Federal Officer Penalties: up to life in custody, up to five years of supervised release, $250,000 fine, and $100 Special Assessment per count.
An indictment itself is not evidence that the defendants committed the crimes charged. The defendants are presumed innocent until the government meets its burden in court of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
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